Meet the new Disability Classrooms in Haiti

      In March, iTOT took a team to Haiti to start four new classrooms for children with disabilities at four new churches in the Port-au-Prince area in partnership with Connect 2 Ministries. Our team consisted of Lynne a special education teacher, Melanie an occupational therapist (but training Haitian teachers to run a preschool class), Marie a physical therapist, Shelley a physical therapist, Kara also a physical therapist, Fred the mechanic/comforter and Brandon the mechanic.  The team divided into two and each team did an amazing job working with the new Haitian teachers and giving special attention to the children.  Here are the new classrooms:

                                                  Union Christian Church

The church is located in a tent city

                                                    

                                                   Edline the new teacher starts her class

Fred takes care of the smallest classmate

 

First Baptist Church of Cite Soleil

 

Bernadette the teacher telling a Bible story

Shelley doing some PT with the kids

Astride likes the new chairs

 

Eden Baptist Church of Logos

 

Kara, PT and Ruth the teacher working on coloring

The tunnel was a big hit!

Asleep after a long day at school

 

God's Church of Emmanuel

 

Melanie helping Michelle the new teacher get started

Marie and Shelley get this little guy comfortable

Walking for the first time with a new walker

 

     There are now eleven classrooms that provide a place for nearly 80 children with disabilities to come, be accepted, have fun and provide support for their families through the local church.  I can't wait to get back to Haiti and see how they are doing later this year!

Prayers and $10 a Month?

Over the past year, iTOT has started eight classrooms for children with disabilities in eight different churches throughout Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  Would YOU consider becoming a supporter of these programs?

Here is how:  Pick one of the 10 children whose pictures are below.  Each one represents their classroom.  Commit to pray for that child and their class; and to donate $10 a month to support the Haiti Disability Classroom project.  Let me know which child you have chosen and I will send you their prayer card that tells you more about that child and their church program. 

Ten dollars a month may not sound like much money but if you add your $10 to many other people's $10 donations...it can add up to enough money to support the preschool programs in Haiti in 2013.  WE NEED YOU!

 Benjamin

 

 Emily

 

 Lugina

 

 Mikelina

 

 Moalson

 

 Samuel

 

 Mike

 

 Wilmene

 

 Victoria

 

Belinson

 

One time gifts are also greatly appreciated.

You can contact iTOT at LTTLWEID@gmail.com or PO Box 744 Sellersville, PA 18960.

Follow iTOT on FaceBook on the group page: International Therapy Outreach Teams



Three New Disability Classrooms in Haiti

     During the last week of September, three new classrooms for children with disabilities were started in three different churches in Haiti.  These churches have started a program that will be an outreach to families and children dealing with disabilities in their communities in a culture that often rejects them.  In Haiti, someone with a disability is seen as cursed instead of a precious child of God.  These pastors are reaching out to show God's love to the most neglected in their communities.

                                              Meet the New Churches

     United Penticostal Church in Cite Soele, the poorest area of Port-au-Prince.  This church started with 27 children showing up for school on the first day (some of those children will attend programs in other areas when we have more programs available). 

                                     There are often crowds watching from the community.

                                           Janet, the teacher, starting with her new class.

             Roderson is enjoying his meal and maybe Mike's too.  Our goal is to be able to provide schooling, food, medical care, and therapy equipment along with a supportive church family.

                                         Singing is one of our favorite activities at school!


     Eden Baptist Church is in Silo Port-au-Prince.  Their church was rebuilt by Calvary Church of Souderton in May of this year.  Now they have a classroom for children with disabilities too.

Our teacher Lynne starts at each new class teaching the teacher. Here she is working with Rene.

                                                         Lugina is such a cutie!

                    John and our translator Jon Adams make adjustments to Woomydline's new chair.


     Church of the Benidiction is in Delmas 32.  It is a small church with a big heart.

                                     Margaret the teacher gets started with some songs.

                                          Sara the physical therapist working with Emily.

                                         Sherry looks like she is enjoying the attention!

                                             Brutis isn't sure about this school thing yet.

                    Linda and Genese (our teacher/trainer from our first program) reading together.


     It costs $100 a month to support each classroom.  This includes the teachers pay and a small amount for some supplies.  If you are interested in donating to the classroom fund or adopting a classroom at $25, $50 or $100 a month, contact iTOT at LTTLWEID@gmail.com.

Adopt a Classroom in Haiti

Children with disabilities and their families are often neglected or rejected in a culture that sees them as a curse rather than as a precious gift from God. A classroom for children with disabilities provides each church with an outreach to at least 25 children and their families and changes attitudes towards disability within their communities.

A program costs $100 a month to maintain. With that money the church will pay a Haitian teacher and provide small supplies for the children. Consider adopting or sharing the adoption of one of these church classrooms.

Churches

Evangelical Church of Emmanuel is in Cite Soleil, the poorest area of Port-au-Prince. This classroom was started in February 2012 and has 25 children attending the program.  The teachers name is Genese and she is helping us to train new teachers.

Hope Christian Church is a small wood structure with tarps for walls where 25 children attend school weekly. The school has been open since Feb. 2012.  The teacher is Melrose.

Evangelical Church of God in Christ's classroom was started in July 2012 and added 18 students with disabilities to their school of over 300 children the first week. The teacher is Demerci.

Church of God of the New Jerusulem started in July 2012 in the Delmas area of Port-au-Prince. The pastor would like to see the program grow to the point where two classrooms are necessary. The teacher's name is Enoch.

Praise Church is a 10x30 concrete building in Cite Soleil that had 15 students on its opening day in July 2012. The teacher is Danielle.

Contact iTOT at LTTLWEID@gmail.com to sponsor a classroom.